British TV’s most memorable moments revealed to celebrate new Sky Max panel show, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV

The top British TV moments of all time have been revealed! Del Boy falling through the bar in Only Fools and Horses, Fawlty Towers ‘Don’t mention the War’ scene, Susan Boyle’s Britain’s Got Talent audition, Rose Ayling-Ellis’ moving dance to no music on Strictly Come Dancing and David Brent’s famous dancing in The Office have been named the top five most memorable moments in British TV history. 

The research from Sky Max marks the launch of brand-new TV-themed comedy panel show, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, which starts this Thursday. An illustration created by artist Bill McConkey has combined some of the most memorable TV scenes into a striking image on the set of the brand new show. The series stars regular team captains Alison Hammond and Josh Widdecombe alongside host Rob Beckett, testing their knowledge of the small screen and celebrating the magic of telly. 

Proving that Brits love their soaps, EastEnders’ Dirty Den’s death and Zoe Slater shouting “you ain’t my muvva!” ranked highly in the Top 10 (8 and 9) closely followed by Corrie’s Richard Hillman driving the Platt family into Weatherfield Canal at number 14. 

The study of 2,000 adults showed that TV-lovers thrive on drama, voting Dot being explosively exposed as the Caddy in Line of Duty as their twelfth most memorable moment. 

Reality also proved popular with Brits, with Celebrity Big Brother’s “David’s Dead” scene ranking highest, alongside Gillian McKeith fainting during a trial on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here  and Diane’s recent “death” during S2 of The Traitors all ranking in the top 25 

On daytime telly, Smart TV team captain Alison Hammond accidentally pushing a sailor into the Albert Dock in Liverpool was another unforgettable moment, ranking number 20 in the poll. Other iconic entertainment moments included Rylan breaking down as he learns he’s going through to judges’ houses on X Factor (21) and the binned Baked Alaska controversy on Great British Bake Off (23). 

However, comedy reigned supreme with Only Fools and Horses, Fawlty Towers, The Office, The Inbetweeners and Gavin and Stacey all featuring in the top 20. 

In a generational split, Gino D’Acampo’s carbonara segment on This Morning, where he declared “if my grandmother had wheels, she would have been a bike”, was voted most memorable by Gen Z respondents, whilst Millennials favoured Peter Marsh’s infamous “What a sad little life, Jane” meltdown from Come Dine with Me as their most memorable scene of all time. 

80 percent of those surveyed agreed the best moments in TV remain timeless, while half said iconic moments played an instrumental role in their childhood. 

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Entertainment at Sky added: “We’ve seen some iconic telly over the years, and it’s always a joy to discuss our favourite moments with friends and loved ones. 

“That’s exactly what Rob, Alison and Josh will be doing on Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, unpicking everything from the unlikeliest accidents in Casualty to iconic lines in Game of Thrones. We can’t wait to share it with TV-lovers everywhere this week.” 

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV airs weekly from 29th February on Sky Max and streaming service NOW

The illustration is available to download on SEAC

FULL SURVEY RESULTS 

TOP 25 MOST MEMORABLE TV MOMENTS 

1. Only Fools and Horses – Del Boy falls through the bar 
   
2. Fawlty Towers - ‘Don’t Mention the War’ scene 
3. Britain’s Got Talent - Susan Boyle’s first audition
   
4. Strictly Come Dancing - Rose Ayling-Ellis dances without music
   
5. The Office - David Brent dance scene
   
6. Planet Earth II – baby iguanas are chased by racer snakes
   
7. The Inbetweeners – Bus wankers
8. EastEnders - Dirty Den’s death
9. EastEnders - You ain’t my muvva
10. Line of Duty - Dot exposed as the Caddy
11. Gavin and Stacey - Nessa’s proposal 
12. Coronation Street - Tram crash
13. This Morning – Gino D’Acampo “If my grandmother had wheels she would’ve been a bike”
14. BBC live interview of Guy Goma, who was wrongly mistaken for an interviewee
15. Celebrity Big Brother - “David’s Dead” 
16. Come Dine with Me - “What a sad little life, Jane” 
17. Sherlock – Sherlock falls from building (apparent death)
18. I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here” – Gillian McKeith collapses
19. BBC reporter gives the camera the middle finger 
20. This Morning - Alison Hammond pushes sailor into the Albert Dock during weather report
21. 'X Factor – Rylan crying after making it through to the next round 
22. Downton Abbey – Lady Sybil’s death 
23. ‘The Great British Bake Off - Baked Alaska in the bin controversy 
24. Doctor Who’s regeneration in 2023 with David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa 
25. Traitors S2 - Diane gets murdered